As large tech companies aggressively build data centers across the US, they face potential challenges from growing voter opposition due to the centers' high energy consumption. Concerns raised during recent elections, particularly in Virginia and Georgia, highlight the political risks. Incoming Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger plans to address energy costs, emphasizing the need for data centers to contribute fairly. The increasing energy demands of these centers, exemplified by OpenAI's deal with Nvidia, and the associated infrastructure requirements pose a significant political and economic hurdle.
by CHRISTOPHER WHITE | THE NATIONAL NEWS DESKFILE - Cars drive past data centers that house computer servers and hardware required to support modern internet use, such as artificial intelligence, in Ashburn, Virginia, July 16, 2023.
Large tech companies are moving at a breakneck pace to build out data centers across the U.S., but their efforts could be at serious risk if voter pushback becomes more widespread ahead of the 2026 midterm and 2028 general elections. There's a lot at stake for companies investing in AI. Data centers were top of mind for many candidates during this year's elections in states like Virginia and Georgia, the latter of which saw two DemocratsIncoming Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger was the tip of the spear on pushback. Before winning last week, she promised citizens to find a way to make companies pay their own way regarding the amount of energy data centers consume. It will be important that large-scale energy users, particularly data centers, that the public know that they are paying their fair share," SpanbergerDramatically increasing energy supply to meet demand will be crucial, she added.FILE - The sun sets behind high tension power lines, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, in the Porter Ranch section of Los Angeles. last month. "Somebody has to pay for it all - and don’t believe any politician who says it won’t ultimately be you," he added, referring to the scale of transmission lines needed to feed these centers.In September, OpenAI announced a deal with chipmaker Nvidia to create 10 gigawatts of Nvidia systems for OpenAI's AI infrastructure. To put that into perspective, 10 gigawatts equal the output of 10 nuclear reactors, Ars Technica Most data centers are able to consume between 10 megawatts to 1 gigawatt of energy. Some large facilities consume between 50 and 100 megawatts. It often takes decades to build and bring nuclear power plants online. In the meantime, a combination of fossil fuels, solar and wind energy are sharing the burden.Global electricity consumption from building out computation to fuel AI and the cryptocurrency is expected to more than double from an estimated 460 terawatt-hours in 2022 to more than 1,000 TWh next year, The U.S.' roughly 2,700 centers sucked up more than 4% of the country's electricity just two years ago, according to the IEA. That number will likely jump to 6% in less than two years. Some tech behemoths are going all out to juice energy supply for production. To fuel data centers, Amazon is planning a $500 million deal with Dominion Energy to build out a small modular nuclear reactor near one of the company's nuclear power stations. Specialist Meric Greenbaum works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. The U.S. has become heavily financialized and dependent on the stock market. And in turn, AI investments make up the bulk of today's stock valuations. As of this year, 62% of Americans own stock, matching the 2024 readings, a recent Gallup survey found, meaning the sectors of our wealth tied in with an increasing stock market are much bigger than in previous years. Everything from retirement plans to the labor market are linked to capital. The top seven companies by market cap—Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Broadcom, and Meta -- are all heavily sunk into AI to the tune of several billion dollars and theyIf the economy is being kept afloat by stock buybacks and layoffs, then introducing a new economic policy that attempts to reverse that dynamic could be potentially dangerous and risk a severe economic recession, analysts argue. If voters have their say and press policy makers to ease up on AI buildout, it could create a minor earthquake in tech valuations. Matt Stoller, research director at the American Economic Liberties Project, has made similarA stock market swoon really could devastate us," wrote Stoller, whose group advocates for breaking up economic concentration. "It’s even worse if there’s a bubble, or if something like AI doesn’t generate the revenues to justify the immense capital investment."The Austin Police Department stated Wednesday afternoon that they were responding to a SWAT situation in Northwest Austin.The incident took place at the 9200 bA man is dead and no suspect is in custody after a homicide near a bus stop in downtown Austin Wednesday morning.Just after 8:30 a.m., officers responded to theA woman sitting at a bus stop in East Austin has died after being struck by a vehicle that veered off the road Wednesday night.The Austin Police Department repResidents of Central Texas were treated to a rare sight as the Aurora Borealis became visible in the region due to a geomagnetic storm on Tuesday night.A Lockhart man was arrested after Kyle police found a stolen handgun and methamphetamine during an investigation early Wednesday, authorities said.Officers patr
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